A bunch of artists I follow pointed to a charity auction they were work for. They were drawing and painting to support a pen-pal program between students in Brooklyn, NY and Freetown, Sierra Leone. I thought it was a pretty inspired idea to get children to think about and interact with other children far far away.

Brown Stones to Red Dirt is a documentary about the pen pal program and seems to have inspired many people to contribute to the cause and better still, inspired the wonderful artists to paint for charity.

When I was a little kid, my dad used to get me a Russian magazine called Misha. It is not easy to hunt down as it is with most things published in erstwhile USSR. But I managed to find out some links and online scans here.

What with reading Russian children’s magazine, Staring at a poster of Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral and reading technical books published by MIR, it seems like my association with Russia goes a lot deeper then I thought. But that’s besides the point.

What was cool about Misha was that they used to publish address of children from USSR and Europe who are interested in making pen friends. I remember writing letters to some of the kids and my dad used to post it for me. I cannot remember whether I got a response or nor do I know if I kept in touch with any of the children from the other end of the globe. But I remember that the idea of penning some thoughts about myself and asking questions about the other person was a mind opening experience. I don’t know how many letters I wrote (may be 1 or may be a few) but I never kept up with it and when I think back, it is a pity I did not continue writing to unknown people around the world. It might have something to do with the fact that Misha stopped circulating (after the collapse of the Soviet) and I could not get more contacts. Such was the times before the internet.

My point is that the idea of writing to another kid half way around the world makes one aware of ones own existence. There is a lot of urge to communicate your story to them and that opens up ones mind. I guess it is best done when you are a kid (no harm pursuing your hobby into adulthood either). So, you see I can understand the enthusiasm shown by the various artists for the Brown Stones to Red Dirt initiative.

The theme of the artwork was pretty original, where every artist was given a veneer of birch-wood the size of a postcard to paint on. You can see some of the impressive work here.

I enjoy beautiful artwork and I also have a reason to support an initiative that helps communities (especially children) to come together and that is a good cause. Further, some of my favorite artists have showcased their work and I guess I cannot help myself from, ahem, participating in the auction. The long and short of the story is that I have a few really cool artwork heading my way as I write this.

The gear wheels actually work. And I love the cyclist in the sky idea. Like ET.

I missed my Cory Godbey artwork in the Terrible Yellow Eyes project. I love the way he draws dino-monsters with a very gentle side.

The colors and the Jewelery. Pretty impressive.

Simple yet sweet. Looks like the robot is not a good artist (the pencil is enormous) but the smile says he seems to enjoy sketching.

The trouble is that I don’t think I have enough wall space in my house. But I guess if it is for a good cause, I don’t mind lending a helping hand especially when I am treated to such amazing work in the bargain.

I am shocked by the turn of events. Here is a guy who is full of life and adventurous and writes amazingly well.

I have been a silent lurker, couch surfing his adventure stories and enjoying his witty observations.

I heard he was hit by a drunk driver in the wee hours and has passed away. This is hitting very close to home and I am very saddened.

RIP Ben.

And the rest of you, ride safe. And to all the drivers, please be considerate.

More links:

http://hg-rider.blogspot.com/2010/03/two-cyclists-hit-driver-held-st-news.html

http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2010/03/farewell-ben.html

So I caught up with a bunch of buddies, we used to work together. The idea was to watch a decent movie, catch up on dinner and split up and that’s what we did. Was a good evening fellers, if you guys are reading.

The movie and the conversation that followed was interesting for me. The movie was “Up in the Air” a witty / satirical episode on the state of the US employment scene. I thought it was a good movie but a bit too long drawn, but thats besides the point. George Clooney is this feller who is hired to fire people. It is kind of obvious that they are eventually going to pull the run from under his feet, the fun was trying to figure when is that going to happen.

In a sense, the feller is the change agent whose job is to pull people out of their comfort zone and let them loose in shark infested waters. He explains his job as someone who walks the fired staff to the edge of the waters, gives them hope and direction and then drops them in for them to figure their way out.

Change agents can be a powerful influence. Taking people out of their comfort zone is a pretty cruel thing to do because it makes them clueless on how to react anymore. Some may move on to better things, and some others may get deeper into their shells and ruin what is left of their lives. So our guy here thinks that his job of firing people it is an important role and does it with empathy. However, I guess the way you can do a job like that is to distance oneself from the ‘realities’ of life. By not getting involved.

He was good until 2 women walk into his life. One is a mirror image of him and the other his complete opposite. The trouble is he lets them get to him. And that is the rug under his feet. And when it eventually gets pulled, I think he realizes what he has really been doing all his life. Coping with rapid changes is not an easy task and I think the bright part of the story is that he moves on (or so I think).

The post movie conversation we had was very interesting, I suppose the 4 of us usually have pretty decent opinions on issues and very varied belief structures too. I think I was going on and on on how the notion of freedom is important and responsibility is overrated. I guess people understand this perspective, but generally look at some one who believes in this philosophy as a lazy bum or a bit cuckoo. Even worse when I am just talking about it and not living it. Doh, I find myself cuckoo sometimes. What made me ponder was that all the talk is kind of rubbish unless one lives the idea, and it will be sad if we catch up in a few years and I am still going on and on about this idea and have done nothing about it.

I suppose being trained in scientific methodology and all, I should experiment by pulling the rug from under my feet and see how it works.

View Travel plans in a larger map

So I do something very rash. I drew up a map of where I am going to be a nomad in. That is kind of an oxymoron but I think a bit of structure helps even if you are going to live off the road (that’s how I hang). I am missing the crucial element of when and how. But I am working on it (I guess / I hope). But I am publishing the where so that I have an idea of what I should be doing and It is kind of an open commitment. The map is coarsely drawn but details is not what I focus on. I am clearing out my backpack, but not setting it on fire yet (watch the movie to figure out this corny remark). May be soon…